Year 8
Queen Margaret College
Year 8 Chinese Programme 2025
Levels 1 and 2 of the New Zealand Learning Languages Curriculum Phases 1-2 of the Middle Years Programme International Baccalaureate
Unit Title
‘Me, my family and friends’
‘My school life’
‘My daily routine’
‘My hobbies and sports’
Course details
Proposed assessment date
In the final two weeks of each term, students will be assessed on the language skills they have developed throughout the unit. Listening, reading, writing, and speaking will each be assessed twice during the year.
The Year 8 Chinese course aims at building students’ confidence in the language. The topics covered give them exposure to a variety of familiar contexts and situations related to their personal experiences. Students have regular conversation with the teacher or Mandarin language assistant, and with each other to help develop their speaking and listening skills. In addition, they engage in e-learning, using their device to record their work on OneNote and to access various language learning resources. Students will take notes both manually and electronically to practise their character writing and typing skills. Students with prior knowledge of the course content or consistently achieve highest scores will have an opportunity to progress to a higher MYP phase or level.
Students may study a selection of the following topics, depending on previous experience with the language:
Me, my family and friends
o Introducing themselves and others
o Pinyin – pronunciation system
o Greetings and self-introduction
o Numbers 0 – 100
o Age and animal signs
o Describing family members, their ages and animal signs
o Describing people and their pets
My school life
o Telling the time, days of the week, months and year
o timetable
o Expressing whether they learn or can speak a language or languages
My daily routine
o Describing basic daily routines
o Expressing when they have some of their subjects
o Describing what a person looks like including body parts, and colours etc.
My hobbies/sports/classroom items
o Talking about their hobbies or sports
o Discussing why they like or dislike doing certain sports etc.
o Describing classroom items
Course Information
• In 2025, Year 8 Chinese is an option subject.
• Each class has 5 lessons per 10-day timetable.
Homework expectations
Students are expected to complete some homework during the week. Your child should be learning at home for a total of at least 45 minutes per weeknight across all subjects. The key to language learning is ‘little and often’.
Homework might include:
• Learning a few words, verbs or phrases
• Sentence or text level of activities, such as Jigsaw activities, cloze exercises etc.
• Reading and grammar exercises to do or a short paragraph to write
• Before an assessment, students will be expected to revise their notes or to practise their spoken language
• Revision of vocabulary learned in class with www.languageperfect.com
• Catching up on work missed due to absence
Students will purchase a Year 8 Chinese Workbook at a cost of around $10.
of Learning Area: Caroline Harding
Head
Queen Margaret College
Year 8 Design (Technology) Programme 2025
Level 4 of the New Zealand Curriculum
Year 2 of the Middle Years Programme International Baccalaureate
Eco Textiles / Electronics (First half year)
Electronics / Eco Textiles (Second half year)
Course overview
Criteria A and B – Term 1 Wk9
Criteria C and D – Term 2 Wk7
Criteria A and B – Term 3 Wk6
Criteria C and D – Term 4 Wk6
Technology is about making a difference in our world – through developing designs, products and systems that meet the requirements of a design brief. The design cycle is a key development process that is followed at all year levels in Technology. In the Year 8 course, students will cover two major units:
Soft Materials / Textiles:
This course focuses on developing skills with sewing machinery, textile materials and construction techniques. A focus theme for this unit is sustainability and being ecoconscious in design. Students will construct a textiles based item for a selected client.
Electronics / Multi-materials:
In this unit skills and activities will involve computational thinking, computer aided design (CAD), lasercutting, circuit construction, and a project that will incorporates the above to meet a design brief. Solar power and sustainable energy creation will also be key themes.
Course details:
• Each class has 5 lessons per 10 day timetable.
• Each class will rotate through the two different unit topics over the year. Each unit topic will be approximately 2 terms in length.
• Each unit topic may be taught by a different teacher in appropriate timetabled classroom
• There is a $30+gst consumables fee for this course. This will be charged to your school account.
Students may also wish to participate in extra outside the classroom STEAM challenges such as the ePRO8 Team Technology competition, Robocup, and Codeclub. Details will be published as opportunities become available during the year.
Assessment Criterion: Design MYP
Over the course of the year students will be assessed according to the following criterion. There are 4 criterion in MYP Design – all based on the Design Cycle.
Criterion A Inquiring and analysing
Criterion B Developing ideas
Criterion C Creating the solution
Criterion D Evaluating
Maximum 8
Maximum 8
Maximum 8
Maximum 8
Each of these criteria will be assessed once in each of the unit topics (ie twice in the year). Students will be given specific assessment schedules for these criteria at the start of each unit.
QMC Technology Safety Rules:
Student safety and wellbeing is paramount at QMC. Accordingly, no student is allowed to operate any equipment without teacher supervision and safety instruction. When using specialist equipment there are some rules to be followed:
• Tie hair back.
• No blazers on.
• Aprons to be worn.
• Safety eye-goggles on if required.
• Covered shoes / PE shoes are acceptable.
• Protective gloves to be worn if needed.
• Persons operating equipment are to be given a clear working space around them. No crowding, talking to or distracting persons operating equipment.
• Students will be supervised always by a teacher if hazardous equipment is being operated.
• Turn equipment off at the wall and unplug from the wall when finished.
• Spaces used must be vacuumed / swept clean for the next person.
Homework expectations
Year 8 students should be learning at home for a total of at least 45 minutes per weeknight across all subjects. To achieve at a high level in this subject, students are expected to complete some homework during the week.
Homework might include:
• Carrying out individual project - written, research or design sketching tasks.
• Attending lunchtime workshops to complete any practical work or to access extra help with practical work.
• Catching up with work not completed during class time.
• Online tutorials for keyboard, software, and coding skill development
Head of Learning Area: Richard Knuckey
Queen Margaret College
Year 8 French Programme 2025
Levels 1 and 2 of the New Zealand Learning Languages Curriculum
Phases 1-2 of the Middle Years Programme International Baccalaureate
Unit Title
‘All about me’ – «C’est perso!»
‘My school’ – «Mon école»
‘My leisure activities’ - «Mes passetemps»
‘My town’ - «Ma zone»
Course details
Proposed assessment date
In the final two weeks of each term, students will be assessed on the language skills they have developed throughout the unit. Listening, reading, writing, and speaking will each be assessed twice during the year.
During the course of the year, students learn how to talk about themselves and others in a range of familiar situations. They are given insight into the everyday life and culture of France and other French speaking countries, encouraging intercultural understanding. In class, students work on achieving grammatical accuracy in writing and on improving the other key skills of reading, speaking and listening. They have regular conversation classes with our French assistant to help develop their speaking and listening skills.
Students will study the following topics:
• C’est Perso!
o Likes and dislikes
o What’s in your personal survival kit
o Describing yourself and others
• Mon Collège
o Talking about your subjects
o Describing your typical school day
o Finding out what lunchtime is like in France
• Mes Passetemps
o Talking about technology
o Talking about sports and other activities
o Expressing your opinion about leisure activities
• Ma Zone
o Adopting and researching a town in France
o Learning how to give directions
o Talking about what makes a good town
Course Information
• In 2025 Year 8 French is an option subject.
• Each class has 5 lessons per 10 day timetable.
Homework expectations
Students are expected to complete some homework during the week. Your child should be learning at home for a total of at least 45 minutes per weeknight across all subjects. The key to language learning is ‘little and often’.
Homework might include:
• Learning a number of words, verbs or phrases
• Reading and grammar exercises to do or a short paragraph to write
• Before an assessment, students will be expected to revise their notes or to practise their spoken language
• Revision of vocabulary learned in class with www.educationperfect.com and www.linguascope.com
• Catching up on work missed due to absence
of Learning Area: Caroline Harding
Head
Queen Margaret College
Year 8 Humanities (Individuals and Societies) Programme 2025
Level 4 of the New Zealand Curriculum
Year 2 of the Middle Years Programme International Baccalaureate
Unit Title
Becoming Pōneke
Prejudice, Who Me?
It’s a Disaster
It’s Not Easy Being Green
Course details
Proposed assessment date
Term 1 Week 11
Term 2 Weeks 6 and 8
Term 3 Weeks 7 and 9
Term 4 Week 3
Humanities (Individuals and Societies) encourages learners to respect and understand the world around them and equips them with the necessary skills to inquire into historical, contemporary, geographical, political, social, economic, religious, technological and cultural factors that have an impact on individuals, societies and environments.
The IB’s approach to Humanities (Individuals and Societies) includes a strong focus on inquiry and investigation. Students collect, describe and analyse data used in the study of societies; they test hypotheses; and learn how to interpret increasingly complex information, including original source material. This focuses on real-world examples, research and analysis is an essential aspect of the subject group.
The study of Humanities (Individuals and Societies) helps students to develop their identities as individuals and as responsible members of local and global communities. Studies in individuals and societies are essential for developing empathy and international-mindedness, including the idea that “other people, with their differences, can also be right” (IB mission statement).
Course Information
• In 2025 Year 8 Humanities (Individuals and Societies) is a compulsory subject.
• Each class has 7 lessons per 10 day timetable.
• Each class covers 4 units over the year.
• Each unit topic will be approximately 9 weeks in length.
• Students are assessed on 4 key skills:
o Knowing and Understanding
o Investigating
o Communicating and
o Thinking Critically
Homework expectations
Your child should be learning at home for a total of at least 45 minutes per weeknight across all subjects. To achieve at a high level in this subject, students are expected to complete some homework during the week. Homework might include:
• Completion of or extension of work done in class
• Reading
• Research
• Revision of material covered in class
• Written responses
• Reinforcement of fundamental skills
Head of Learning Area: Adrian Hardy
Queen Margaret College Year 8 Japanese Programme 2025
Levels 1 and 2 of the New Zealand Learning Languages Curriculum Phase 1 of the Middle Years Programme International Baccalaureate
Unit Title
Getting to know you
School life
Sport and leisure
Japanese Culture
Course details
Proposed assessment date
In the final two weeks of each term, students will be assessed on the language skills they have developed throughout the unit. Listening, reading, writing, and speaking will each be assessed twice during the year.
During the course of the year, students learn how to talk about themselves and others in a range of familiar situations. In class, they are encouraged to speak Japanese and work towards improving the other key skills of listening, reading and writing using the Hiragana alphabet. The topics covered give students exposure to a variety of contexts and situations related to their personal experiences. Concurrently with the teaching of language through topics, there is also an introduction to Japanese culture and basic sentences. In addition, Students engage in eLearning, using their laptops to record work on OneNote and to access various language learning resources. Students may study the following topics:
• Getting to know you: Tomodachi
o Hiragana alphabet
o Greetings and introducing yourself
o Numbers from 0-100 and age
o Introduce your family members
o Where you come from and where you live
• School life: Gakko
o Subjects, teachers and opinions
o My timetable and year grades
o School lunch and favorite food
o Classroom items & expressions
• Sport and leisure: Supootsu to rejaa
o Time & days of the week
o Daily routines
o Places and means of transportation
o Activities and hobbies
• Japanese Culture: Nihon no bunka
o Festivals and events
o Days and months
o Birthday
o Katakana symbols
Course Information
• In 2025 Year 8 Japanese is an option subject.
• Each class has 5 lessons per 10 day timetable.
Homework expectations
Students are expected to complete some homework during the week. Your daughter should be learning at home for a total of at least 45 minutes four times per week, across all subjects. The key to language learning is ‘little and often’.
Homework might include:
• Learning a number of words, verbs or phrases
• Reading and grammar exercises to do or a short paragraph to write
• Before an assessment, students will be expected to revise their notes or to practise their spoken language
• Revision of vocabulary learned in class with www.languageperfect.com
• Catching up on work missed due to absence
Students will purchase a Year 8 Japanese Workbook for around $10.
Head of Department: Caroline Harding
Queen Margaret College
Year 8 Language and Literature Programme 2025
Level 4 of the New Zealand Curriculum
Year 2 of the Middle Years Programme International Baccalaureate
Unit Title
Unit 1 – Poetry
Unit 2 – Novel study
Unit 3 – CSI Wellington film
Unit 4 – Folk tales
Course details
Proposed assessment date
Refer to assessment calendar on Managebac
The study of English Language and Literature encourages students to engage with and develop a genuine interest in literature, as well as confidence in reading, writing, and presenting. The course begins with an exploration of different types of poetry, from which students create their own versions to incorporate into their Poetry Anthology. Students then read the novel My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece by Annabel Pitcher, analyse its aspects, and develop literature circle presentation skills to demonstrate their understanding of the author’s choices. Students deliver a speech on their superhero. They will also create their own CSI film and write a scene analysis of their peers’ work. Students study international folk tales and produce their own version.
Course Information
• Poems are studies to learn how poets use techniques and conventions to create meanings and students make their own poetry anthology.
• A novel is studied to develop understanding of how writers construct meaning
• Skills in constructing and delivering speeches are developed
• A film is studied to learn how filmmakers use techniques and conventions to create meaning and impact their audience; students form groups and make their own film
• Different writing genres are studied and modelled to develop creative writing skills
• Skills in reading comprehension and analysis are developed throughout the year
Homework expectations
Your child should be learning at home for a total of at least 45 minutes per weeknight across all subjects.
To achieve at a high level in this subject, students are expected to complete some homework during the week. Homework might include:
• Completion of, or extension of, work done in class
• Reading
• Research
• Revision of material covered in class
• Creative writing
• Written responses
• Reinforcement of fundamental literacy skills through Education Perfect subscription
Head of Learning Area: Mrs.
Annabel Harris
Queen Margaret College
Year 8 Mathematics 2025
Level 4 of the New Zealand Curriculum
Year 2 of the Middle Years Programme International Baccalaureate
Unit Title
Number and Problem Solving (Patterns)
Algebra and Graphing
Statistics and Measurement
Course details
Proposed assessment date
Refer to assessment calendar on Managebac
The academic curriculum for Middle School mathematics at Queen Margaret College has the New Zealand Curriculum as its foundation. The mathematical content of courses and the way we measure student progress with mathematical skills is taken from the New Zealand Curriculum. The IB Middle Years Programme informs our approaches to teaching and learning and the way that students engage with the mathematical content at a particular curriculum level.
The curriculum in Year 8 is designed as a continuing mathematical step from the Primary School through the Middle School and onto the Senior School. Classes are mixed ability, and teachers differentiate learning for individual student needs.
The main topics covered throughout the year are statistics, number knowledge and skills, geometry and measurement, and algebra. In Year 8, we encourage students to develop problem solving skills.
Course Information
• Mathematics is a compulsory subject in Year 8 with 7 lessons each fortnight.
• The Mathematics Help Room is staffed by teachers every week during Wednesday lunch times and after school on a Wednesday. Students can attend to do their homework or receive some extra help.
• There will also be the opportunity to take part in the following activities and competitions:
✓ The Problem Challenge is held throughout the year (entry fee approximately $5.00). This is compulsory for Year 8 students.
✓ International Competition and Assessment for Schools (ICAS) for Mathematics (entry fee approximately $25.00).
✓ The Australian Mathematics Competition is held in August (entry fee approximately $15.00)
✓ The Kiwi Maths Competition is held in September (entry fee approximately $15.00).
✓ QMC Mathematic Badge (badge on completion is approximately ($10.00).
✓ A team will be selected to compete at The Wellington Mathematics Association MathsWell Competition held in August (entry fee approximately $25.00).
• Year 8 will receive a subscription to an electronic MYP textbook and DrFrost at a cost of approximately $30.00. This is used for classwork, homework, and for independent study.
Homework expectations
Students should complete at least 45 minutes per weeknight across all subjects.
Head of Learning Area: Matthew Kavanagh and Mike Lockwood
Queen Margaret College
Year 8 Music Programme 2025
Level 4 of the New Zealand Curriculum
Year 2 of the Middle Years Programme International Baccalaureate
Unit Title
The Language of Music and Keyboard Skills Term 1 Week 6 Term 3 Week 4
Mozart’s Music and Mine Term 1 Week 11
Choose a Singer
Developing DAW’s
Course details
Term 2 Week 5
Term 3 Week 9
Term 4 Week 5
The students further their understanding of how music is constructed and expressed, and continue to grow in theirknowledgeofcreatingandperformingtheirownmusic.
The students learn:
• A more developed understanding of musical elements and notation.
• Acquisition and application of basic keyboard skills including scales, triads and playing melodies
• How music from the past can influence music in the present
• Acquisition and application of basic compositional techniques to create, notate, and present an original set of variations using music software
• To listen to and identify a variety of vocal styles and genres
• Through researching a particular singer to appreciate how a singer communicates their music to an audience, and how the audience may respond
• More advanced skills including creating a short piece using a DAW
Course Information
• All students take Year 8 Music in 2025
• Students have 4 lessons per 10-day cycle for half the year
• A number of extra-curricular activities are available to all students
Homework expectations
Your daughter should be learning at home for a total of at least 45 minutes four times per week, across all subjects. The expectation in music is that most work will be completed in class. Occasionally a student will need to complete composition or research tasks at home in order to achieve at a high level.
Teacher for Year 8 Music: Jordan Bennett
Head of Learning Area: Tim Jenkin
Queen Margaret College
Year 8 Physical Education Programme 2025
Level 4 of the New Zealand Curriculum
Year 2 of the Middle Years Programme International Baccalaureate
Unit Title
Invasion Games – Netball/Basketball
Fitness – Exercise Science
Large Ball Games
Spring, Flight and Landing - Māori Myths & Legends
Term 1, Week 9
Term 2, Week 5
Term 2, Week 9
Term 3, Week 5
Volleyball Not assessed
Striking and Fielding – T-ball/Badminton Not assessed
* These assessment dates may be subject to slight variation
Course details
Students are provided with an exciting and enriched programme. The Physical Education department is committed to creating and maintaining a learning environment that recognises and acknowledges each student as having individual and metacognitive needs, by offering a high quality, broad-based curriculum. Students work cooperatively, demonstrating appropriate communication skills to achieve goals in social and competitive situations. The students learn about:
• Their own body’s capabilities through a number of fitness activities, with a specific focus to build on their performance from Year 7
• Movement compositions telling Māori myths and legends through spring, flight and landing
• Developing enjoyment, self-confidence and complex movement sequences
• Factors that affect their physical, social and emotional well-being
• Health topics including personal identity, internet safety, adolescence and puberty, and nutrition
Course Information
• In 2025, Year 8 Physical Education is a compulsory subject
• Each class has 4 Physical Education lessons and 2 Health lessons per 10-day timetable
• Correct uniform to be worn per term. Failure to do so will result in the following:
• 1st time a warning
• 2nd time a lunchtime detention
• 3rd time a Deans detention
Homework expectations
Your daughter should be learning at home for a total of at least 45 minutes four times per week, across all subjects. On occasion PE homework will include:
• Extra physical tasks
• Creation of routines
• Written tasks to support practical work
Head of
Department:
Aimee Francois
Queen Margaret College
Year 8 Religious Education Programme 2025
Unit Title
Term 1
The Bible: Literary genre and interpretation.
The New Testament.
Term 2
Life and Teachings of Jesus
Term 3
Maori spirituality.
Term 4
Rites of Passage
(Christmas – weeks 7+8)
Course details
Proposed assessment date
No formal assessment
The Y8 RE course aims to build upon the foundations laid in Y7: consolidating understanding of the key features in the roots of the Abrahamic faiths, and recognition of different scriptural genres. This is then extended to a focus on N.T, writings and on the key teachings and moracles of Jesus. This includes a grasp of Jewish beliefs and traditions. Māori spiritual concepts and practices are investigated as well as the historical interaction between Christianity and Māori culture.
Course Information
Religious Education is a compulsory subject for all Y8 students
Each class has 2 lessons per 10 day timetable.
Homework expectations
Your child should be learning at home for a total of at least 45 minutes per weeknight across all subjects
Students are not set formal homework but may be asked to read around topics and conduct individual research.
Head of Department: Deborah Wilson
Queen Margaret College
Year 8 Science Programme 2025
Level 3 of the New Zealand Curriculum
Year 2 of the Middle Years Programme International Baccalaureate Unit Title
Forensic Science
This topic assesses Criteria A
Physical Science
This topic assesses Criteria B, C and D
Science Fair
This topic assesses Criteria B and C
Animal Adaptations
This topic assesses Criteria A and D
Earth Science
This topic assesses ATL communication, research and thinking skills
* These assessment dates may be subject to slight variation
Course details
Proposed assessment date*
Test – Term 1, Week 7
Research task – Term 1, Week 11
Investigation – Term 2, Week 2/3
Investigation – Term 3, Week 1
Note: Planning and carrying out investigation is ongoing throughout entire topic
Research task – Term 3, Week 7
Test – Term 3, Week 9
Portfolio throughout the topic during Term 4
The aim of the Year 8 Science programme is to allow students to see what it takes to become an effective Scientist and appreciate how Scientists work. Students will build on skills covered in Year 1 of the MYP and develop them further to carry out scientific experiments and provide scientific reasoning to support their findings. They learn to independently research how Science affects us not only individually and locally but the Earth as a whole.
Course Information
• In 2025 Year 8 Science is a compulsory subject.
• Each class has 7 lessons per 10 day timetable.
• Each class covers 5 units over the year.
• Each unit topic will be approximately 6-8 weeks in length.
• Students are assessed on 4 key skills. These are Knowledge and Understanding, Inquiring and Designing, Processing and Evaluating, and Reflecting on the Impacts of Science.
Homework expectations
Your student should be learning at home for a total of at least 90 minutes four times per week, across all subjects. To achieve at a high level in this subject, students are expected to complete some homework during the week.
Homework might include:
• Reading and researching science concepts studied in class
• Completion of assignments started in class
• Practising new skills learned in class
• Catching up on work missed due to absence
• Revising material covered in class in preparation for tests
Head of Department: Rebecca Hickey
Queen Margaret College
Year 8 Spanish Programme 2025
Levels 1 and 2 of the New Zealand Curriculum
Phase 1 of the Middle Years Programme International Baccalaureate
Unit Title
‘My life’
‘My free time’
‘My school’
‘My family and friends’
Course details
Proposed assessment date
At the end of each 8-week unit, students will be assessed on the language skills they have developed. Listening, reading, writing, and speaking will each be assessed twice during the year.
During the course of the year, students learn how to talk about themselves and others in a range of familiar situations. They describe people and places, what they usually do, their likes and dislikes using the present tense. In class, students are encouraged to speak Spanish and also improve their skills in reading, writing and listening. They have regular conversation sessions in class time with our Spanish language assistant to help develop their speaking and listening skills. In addition, they engage in eLearning, using their laptops to complete work on OneNote and to access various online language-learning resources. Students may study the following topics:
• My life
o Greetings and introducing yourself, age and birthdays.
o Description of brothers and sisters, personality and pets.
• My free time
o Saying what you do and what you like to do.
• My school
o Subjects and opinions, describing school and the school day.
• My family and friends
o Describing your family, physical description and where you live
Course Information
• Year 8 Spanish is an option subject.
• Each class has 5 lessons per 10-day timetable
Homework expectations
Students are expected to complete some homework during the week. Your daughter should be learning at home for a total of at least 45 minutes four times per week, across all subjects. The key to language learning is ‘little and often’.
Homework might include:
• Learning a number of words, verbs or phrases.
• Reading and grammar exercises to do or a short paragraph to write.
• Before an assessment, students will be expected to revise their notes or to practise their spoken language
• Revision of vocabulary learned in class with www.educationperfect.com and www.linguascope.com.
• Catching up on work missed due to absence
Head of Department: Caroline Harding
Queen Margaret College
Year 8 Te Reo Māori Programme 2025
Levels 1-2 of the New Zealand Learning Languages Curriculum
Phase 1 of the Middle Years Programme International Baccalaureate
Unit Title
Term 1 - Te huarere
Term 2 - Ko tōku kura
Term 3 - Ko au
Term 4 – Poi
Course details
Proposed assessment date
In the final two weeks of term 1, 2 & 3, students will be assessed on the language skills they have developed throughout the unit. Listening, reading, writing, and speaking will each be assessed twice during the year.
During the year, students will be introduced to basic vocabulary and simple sentence structures to describe the weather in the Wellington region, a school timetable, their own physical appearances as well as introduce themselves and family members An understanding of tikanga Māori will also be a key part of the course. In class, students are encouraged to speak te reo Māori and work towards improving the other key skills of reading, writing and listening. In addition, they engage in e-learning, using their laptops to work on OneNote and to access various language learning resources. Students will study the following topics:
• Te huarere
o Numbers from 0-20
o Weather
o Days of the week
• Ko tōku kura
o Telling the time
o School subjects
• Ko au
o Family members
o Pets
o Colours
o Body parts
• Poi
o Commands
o Directions
o Poi song
Course Information
• In 2025 Year 8 te reo Māori is an option subject.
• Each class has 5 lessons per 10-day timetable.
Homework expectations
Students are expected to complete some homework during the week. Your daughter should be learning at home for a total of at least 45 minutes four times per week, across all subjects. The key to language learning is ‘little and often’.
Homework might include:
• Learning a number of words, verbs or phrases
• Reading and grammar exercises to do or a short paragraph to write
• Before an assessment, students will be expected to revise their notes or to practise their spoken language
• Revision of vocabulary learned in class with www.educationperfect.com and www.linguascope.com
• Catching up on work missed due to absence
Head of Department: Caroline Harding
Queen Margaret College
Year 8 Theatre Programme 2025
Level 4 of the New Zealand Curriculum
Middle Years Programme International Baccalaureate
Unit Title
Techniques
Devising original Theatre
Course details
Drama journal
Proposed assessment date
Term 1, week 9
Term 3, week 8
Term 2, week 5
Term 4, week 4
Term 2, Week 7
Term 4, week 6
The aim of the course is to introduce all students to key concepts in a practical environment. The course aims to inspire a passion for and confidence in Drama in all students. There is a particular focus on verbal and non-verbal skills, along with small group collaborative skills and the development of independent work skills as a support to other curricular areas. The programme looks initially at developing the students understanding and application of comedy techniques. This is followed by a study and application of devising process which will result in students creating an original piece of theatre for performance In Term 2 the students will work with scripts learning strategies on developing a role for performance.
Course Information
• Each class has 4 lessons per 10 day timetable for a half year
• Each class will cover 3 topics over the course of the half-year programme
Homework expectations
Your child should be learning at home for a total of at least 45 minutes per weeknight across all subjects. Written reflections will generally be completed in class. It is vital when approaching an assessment, that homework time is used to learn lines
Teacher in Charge of Theatre: Benjamin Gibson
Queen Margaret College Year 8 Visual Arts 2025
Level 4 of the New Zealand Curriculum
Year 1 - 2 of the Middle Years Programme International Baccalaureate
Unit Titles and Skills Taught
Unit 1
‘I had the Craziest Dream’ - Surrealism drawing and sculpture
INQUIRY: Drawing Fundamentals; Skills and Techniques
• Researching contemporary and traditional art and artists
• Intermediate observation and drawing skills
• Colour theory
• Experimenting with a range of media
• Thinking conceptually
• Exploring clay techniques and processes
Students will explore their skills in final works;
• Colour pencil drawing
• Clay creature
All Tasks
• Ongoing workbook exploration which includes, notes, sketches, plans, etc.
• Evaluation of own and other students’ artworks using art terms
• Discussion of artist models and artworks using appropriate art terminology
Course Information
• In 2025 Year 8 Art is a compulsory subject.
• Each class has 5 lessons per fortnight for half a year.
Proposed assessment date
Summative assessment
First half year Term 2 week 6
Second half year Term 4 week 3
• Each class will rotate through three different unit topics over the year.
• Students are assessed on 4 key skills. These are Knowing and Understanding, Developing Skills, Thinking Creatively, and Responding
• There is a consumables fee of $60 which will be charged to the student’s account.
Course details
The aim of this course is for students to develop an enthusiasm for and confidence in art making, building on the skills acquired in each successive year. The Year 8 Visual Arts course is a practical course of study that introduces the students to Year 1 and 2 of the MYP framework. The artistic
fundamentals that students develop form a foundation on which to build further skills and understanding of the MYP Arts Curriculum. They will be encouraged and enabled to:
• create and present art
• develop skills specific to the discipline
• engage in a process of creative exploration and (self-)discovery
• make purposeful connections between investigation and practice
• understand the relationship between art and its contexts
• respond to and reflect on art
• deepen their understanding of the world.
Homework expectations
Your child should be learning at home for a total of at least 45 minutes per weeknight across all subjects. To achieve at a high level in this subject, students may be expected to complete some work outside of class time. This work may include:
1. Completion of assignments already worked on in class
2. Catching up on work missed due to absence
3. Researching on the internet
4. Completing a formative or summative reflection sheet that enables the student to assess her own projects
Teacher in Charge of Visual Arts: Anna Faulknor